Eels to Request Paulo Downgrade

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The Dyldam Parramatta Eels have today informed the NRL that they intend to dispute the grading of prop Junior Paulo’s Dangerous Throw charge.

Paulo has been charged with a Grade 3 Dangerous Throw for his tackle on Manly-Warringah’s Matt Ballin in Friday night’s Round One match up, and the Eels will appear on his behalf via our regular Senior Counsel on Wednesday night.

Parramatta will ask the judiciary to downgrade the charge, and has informed the NRL of its willingness to accept a lower grade.

As an example, if the Eels are successful in seeking a downgrade to a Grade 2, Paulo will plead guilty, receive a 25% discount, and miss 4 NRL games.

If the club is unsuccessful, Paulo will miss 9 games.

If the club had accepted an early guilty plea for the current Grade 3 charge, Paulo would have missed 7 games.

In the view of the Eels, this is not a Grade 3 offence, and all decisions in relation to such charges are made in consultation with the player and advisors.